Written Answers Wednesday 5 October 2005

Scottish Executive

Biofuels

Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what subsidies are available for the production of biofuels.

Tavish Scott: There are no dedicated subsidies available for the production of biofuels. However, businesses wishing to invest in biofuel production can be considered for assistance through other generic schemes for providing assistance to business, including Regional Selective Assistance.

Civil Servants

Ms Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to monitor flexible working patterns within its own departments and non-departmental public bodies to ensure that the maximum application of experience and knowledge is derived from its workforce.

Mr Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive now records the formal working patterns of all staff as part of its human resources recording procedures. In addition, all staff have the opportunity to work flexibly through the Executive’s flexible working hours scheme. However, our equal opportunities and diversity policies commit us, as an employer, to valuing the contribution of all staff and to providing them with equality of opportunity, regardless of irrelevant difference, including working pattern.

  Arrangements for the recording of staff working patterns by non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) are a matter for each individual body.

Drug and Alcohol Misuse

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-17919 by George Lyon on 9 September 2005, in how many deaths (a) heroin, (b) ecstasy, (c) amphetamines, (d) other illicit substances, (e) alcohol and (f) tobacco were recorded as causes in each year since 1997, broken down by (i) NHS board, (ii) local authority and (iii) parliamentary constituency.

George Lyon: Tables presenting geographical breakdowns of the data given in answer to question S2W-17919 have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 37600). For reasons set out in the previous reply, it has not been possible to provide figures on deaths from "other illicit substances" or tobacco.

Licensing

Bruce Crawford (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many licensed premises there have been in Mid Scotland and Fife in each year from 1999 to 2005, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) licence type.

George Lyon: The information available is given in the following tables.

  Liquor Licences in Force in Fife and Mid Scotland by Council Area, at 31 December 1995-2004

  

Council Area
Total Number of Liquor Licences in Force, at 31 December


1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004


Angus
364 
360 
362 
367 
372 
361 
366
365 
384
402


Clackmannanshire
135 
125 
125 
136 
155 
133 
135
135 
139
134


Dundee City
445 
455 
460 
466 
479 
472 
434
441 
446
449


Falkirk
421 
457 
453 
450 
433 
415 
400
400 
398
401


Fife
1,094 
1,150 
1,110 
1,103 
1,098 
1,104 
1,102
1,097 
1,100
1,085


Perth and Kinross
673 
671 
678 
683 
691 
694 
696
688 
691
674


Stirling
415 
419 
434 
442 
450 
425 
436
432 
464
450



  Hotel Liquor Licences in Force in Fife and Mid Scotland by Council Area, at 31 December 1995-2004

  

Council Area
Number of Hotel Liquor Licences in Force, at 31 December


1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004


Angus
68
67
64 
65 
67 
61 
60 
61 
60
61


Clackmannanshire
17
16
15 
15 
16 
14 
14 
12 
13
13


Dundee City
20
22
22 
22 
21 
22 
20 
20 
23
23


Falkirk
33
38
33 
31 
32 
31 
33 
31 
30
29


Fife
157
164
160 
153 
153 
149 
146 
144 
142
141


Perth and Kinross
196
193
193 
192 
190 
191 
189 
183 
174
168


Stirling
97
97
95 
96 
92 
92 
90 
89 
85
85



  Restricted Hotel Liquor Licences in Force in Fife and Mid Scotland by Council Area, at 31 December 1995-2004

  

Council Area
Number of Restricted Hotel Licences in Force, at 31 December


1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004


Angus
6
6
7 
6 
6 
6 
7 
7 
6
6


Clackmannanshire
-
-
- 
- 
- 
- 
-
-
-
-


Dundee City
14
13
12 
13 
13 
13 
11 
11 
7
8


Falkirk
4
4
4 
3 
3 
3 
3 
2 
1
1


Fife
20
20
22 
21 
22 
23 
22 
21 
19
20


Perth and Kinross
41
41
40 
39 
39 
38 
40 
39 
39
36


Stirling
24
22
22 
22 
20 
15 
15 
14 
15
15



  Public House Liquor Licences in Force in Fife and Mid Scotland by Council Area, at 31 December 1995-2004

  

Council Area
Number of Public House Liquor Licences in Force, at 31 December


1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004


Angus
115
116
118 
121 
122 
117 
117 
115 
120
132


Clackmannanshire
36
35
34 
36 
38 
36 
36 
35 
37
38


Dundee City
165
164
163 
168 
171 
164 
161 
165 
163
161


Falkirk
127
137
131 
128 
128 
118 
116 
122 
122
119


Fife
338
357
327 
336 
335 
342 
340 
340 
337
339


Perth and Kinross
120
121
127 
129 
136 
132 
140 
144 
150
148


Stirling
97
99
99 
100 
106 
94 
98 
98 
99
100



  Restaurant Liquor Licences in Force in Fife and Mid Scotland by Council Area, at 31 December 1995-2004

  

Council Area
Number of Restaurant Liquor Licences in Force, at 31 December


1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004


Angus
31
31
30 
32 
29 
29 
31 
33 
38
40


Clackmannanshire
4
3
4 
4 
5 
4 
4 
4 
5
8


Dundee City
51
52
52 
53 
53 
51 
40 
42 
45
50


Falkirk
29
32
35 
32 
30 
32 
30 
32 
25
29


Fife
62
64
70 
65 
67 
69 
71 
71 
67
69


Perth and Kinross
68
62
65 
68 
78 
70 
67 
64 
66
66


Stirling
37
38
41 
42 
41 
37 
40 
41 
40
40



  Entertainment Liquor Licences in Force in Fife and Mid Scotland by Council Area, at 31 December 1995-2004

  

Council Area
Number of Entertainment Liquor Licences in Force, at 31 December


1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004


Angus
16
15
15 
14 
15 
16 
17 
17 
20
22


Clackmannanshire
6
6
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6 
6
6


Dundee City
35
36
40 
38 
37 
41 
37 
37 
35
36


Falkirk
26
29
30 
29 
26 
26 
26 
26 
23
23


Fife
51
59
51 
51 
48 
48 
49 
45 
45
43


Perth and Kinross
12
11
12 
11 
11 
8 
8 
9 
9
8


Stirling
15
15
14 
15 
16 
15 
15 
15 
15
15



  Refreshment Liquor Licences in Force in Fife and Mid Scotland by Council Area, at 31 December 1995-2004

  

Council Area
Number of Refreshment Liquor Licences in Force, at 31 December


1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004


Angus
12
11
13
12
12
14
13
14
18
16


Clackmannanshire
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-


Dundee City
9
10
17
19
20
17
10
10
10
10


Falkirk
2
2
4
4
3
4
2
6
3
3


Fife
13
13
15
13
15
21
22
23
25
26


Perth and Kinross
23
28
28
28
27
33
33
32
34
36


Stirling
6
9
12
15
18
21
23
28
34
34



  Off-sale Liquor Licences in Force in Fife and Mid Scotland by Council Area, at 31 December 1995-2004

  

Council Area
Number of On-Sale Liquor Licences in Force, at 31 December


1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004


Angus
116
114
115
117
121
118
121
118
122
125


Clackmannanshire
72
65
66
75
90
73
75
78
78
69


Dundee City
151
158
154
153
164
164
155
156
163
161


Falkirk
200
215
216
223
211
201
190
181
194
197


Fife
453
473
465
464
458
452
452
453
465
447


Perth and Kinross
213
215
213
216
210
222
219
217
219
212


Stirling
139
139
151
152
157
151
155
147
176
161

NHS 24

Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the NHS 24 Independent Review Team’s final report will be published.

Mr Andy Kerr: The First Minister and I announced on 24 February 2005 that an independent review team, led by Owen Clarke CBE, would be set up to review the performance of NHS 24. Following an interim report published on 2 June this year, I have now received the team’s final report which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 37601) and in the Publications section of the Scottish Executive website at www.scotland.gov.uk/publications . I am very grateful to Owen Clarke and his colleagues for their hard work in producing this report on time.

  I am pleased to note that the review team refers to the progress being made by NHS 24 and by its NHS partners. While NHS 24 and the NHS boards continue to face significant challenges in providing high quality, responsive services, particularly out of hours, I believe that the foundation has been laid for sustained performance improvement going forward. There is, however, no room for complacency as the review team’s recommendations make clear.

  The review team has rightly drawn attention to the winter - and in particular the Christmas and New Year holiday periods when doctors’ surgeries are closed - as a period of major challenge. I am pleased to see that collaborative planning between NHS 24 and area NHS boards has started in good time this year and is moving ahead.

  I will continue to monitor NHS 24’s performance and delivery closely, together with those of the area NHS boards. I will ensure that performance improvement plans and targets are adhered to. I want to concentrate now on helping NHS 24 and the area NHS boards make the further changes necessary to ensure a reliable, high quality, safe out-of-hours service for the people of Scotland.

Planning

Murray Tosh (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the changes to Scots planning law made by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, following the agreement by this Parliament of a relevant Sewel motion, will be re-stated in its proposed Planning Bill, in order to consolidate law on planning and to allow further scrutiny and amendment of those sections of the Act which cover areas of devolved competence.

Johann Lamont: The amendments to Scots planning law contained in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 will not appear in the bill. The provisions in the proposed Planning Bill, will, where necessary, take account of the provisions introduced by the 2004 act.

Rail Services

Mrs Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of train services from (a) Aberdeen to Edinburgh and (b) Edinburgh to Aberdeen.

Tavish Scott: The Executive has initiated a range of work to inform decisions on potential changes to the network and services across Scotland in future. We have commissioned a Scottish Planning Assessment to consider where the demand for rail services is likely to grow over the next 10 to 20 years, and to identify where the rail network may be unable to meet this demand. We are issuing a consultation asking for views on what the strategic priorities for rail should be. Network Rail are undertaking a Route Utilisation Strategy to consider improvements that could be made to the existing network over the next five to 10 years.

Rail Services

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-19065 by Tavish Scott on 20 September 2005, when its officials last met Strathclyde Passenger Transport and whether the proposal to construct a dynamic loop on the Glasgow to Kilmarnock railway line was discussed.

Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Strathclyde Passenger Transport on a number of issues. Officials met late June 2005 to discuss the dynamic loop on the Glasgow to Kilmarnock line. There remains outstanding issues to take forward following that meeting.

Road Accidents

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-771 by Nicol Stephen on 30 June 2003, how many accidents have been reported at the Aberuthven junction on the A9 in each of the last five years.

Tavish Scott: The number of injury accidents that have been reported at the Aberuthven junction on the A9 in each of the last five years (January 2000 to December 2004) is as follows:

  

Year
Fatal
Serious
Slight


2000
0
0
0


2001
0
2
0


2002
0
0
2


2003
1
0
4


2004
0
0
0


Total
1
2
6



  The figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere because they were extracted on a different date and the database may have changed between the two dates, e.g. due to late returns or corrections to earlier returns.

Road Accidents

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-770 by Nicol Stephen on 30 June 2003, how many accidents have been reported at the Auchterarder South junction on the A9 in each of the last five years.

Tavish Scott: The number of injury accidents that have been reported at the Auchterarder South junction on the A9 in each of the last five years (January 2000 to December 2004) is as follows:

  

Year
Fatal
Serious
Slight


2000
0
0
2


2001
0
1
1


2002
0
0
0


2003
0
0
0


2004
1
0
1


Total
1
1
4



  The figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere because they were extracted on a different date and the database may have changed between the two dates, e.g. due to late returns or corrections to earlier returns.

Road Accidents

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-769 by Nicol Stephen on 26 June 2003, how many accidents have been reported on the A9 between the Keir roundabout at Dunblane and Broxden roundabout at Perth in each of the last five years.

Tavish Scott: The number of injury accidents that have been reported on the A9 between Keir roundabout at Dunblane and Broxden roundabout at Perth in each of the last five years (January 2000 to December 2004) is as follows:

  

Year
Fatal
Serious
Slight


2000
4
11
15


2001
4
9
30


2002
1
6
28


2003
5
4
45


2004
4
7
19


Total
18
37
137



  The figures quoted may differ slightly from those published elsewhere because they were extracted on a different date and the database may have changed between the two dates, e.g. due to late returns or corrections to earlier returns.

Roads

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-32237 by Lewis Macdonald on 16 December 2002, what the latest figures available are for the percentage of commercial vehicles and HGVs that use the A9 trunk road between Perth and Inverness and how these figures compare with the national average for non-dual carriageway trunk roads.

Tavish Scott: The Scottish Traffic Database has two automatic classifier sites on the A9 between Perth and Inverness at Birnam and Tomatin. The percentage of heavy goods vehicles at these sites is 13% and 19% respectively, based on data from all of 2004.

  In addition, surveys of short duration were undertaken at 10 sites between Perth and Bruar in 2004. The percentage of heavy goods vehicles found in these surveys was between 10% south of Luncarty and 19% north of Bruar.

  Information on the national average percentages of heavy goods vehicles on non-dual carriageway trunk roads is not currently published. However, a broad analysis of the information in the Scottish Roads Traffic Database suggests that the average figure is around 15% for single carriageway trunk roads in Scotland.

Roads

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31635 by Lewis Macdonald on 28 November 2002, whether it has reassessed what level of traffic it considers is required before a trunk road, such as the A9, should be upgraded to dual carriageway status.

Tavish Scott: The level of traffic required before a trunk road is upgraded to dual carriageway has not been reassessed since Lewis Macdonald’s answer to question S1W-31635 on 28 November 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Shipbuilding

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any indication has been received from the European Union concerning an investigation into whether unfair state subsidies are being given to Polish shipyards; when any such investigation will be completed, and whether a report of any such investigation will be sent to the Executive.

Nicol Stephen: We are aware of two European Commission investigations of alleged illegal state aids to Polish shipyards. The one into the three publicly owned yards is continuing. The Commission has not indicated a completion date.

  The Commission has, however, confirmed to UK authorities that with regard to the complaint received from Ferguson’s about illegal aid to the privately owned Polish shipyard, Remontowa, it has found no evidence of illegal state aids to warrant a full investigation into Remontowa.

  The Commission has sole competence in state aid and is not required to issue a report on its findings.

Voluntary Sector

Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-18916 by Malcolm Chisholm on 13 September 2005, what measures it plans to improve funding for the community and voluntary sectors.

Malcolm Chisholm: In partnership with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), the Scottish Executive has produced and published a detailed action plan to implement the principles identified in the Strategic Funding Review Joint Statement, published in May 2005.

  Further information about the review can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/viu.